Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15100, John Dobel, Continental Mass. Navy

SERVICE Continental Mass. Navy
Dobel John
NUMBER
S 15100
CONTENTS
banded

21. 8074 Massachusetts
John Kirk
of Berkshire in the State of Mass a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Vinton of the 3 d Reg t commanded by Col l Sargeant in the Mass a and line for 12 months Private Navy 12 " Seaman
aw Aug. 6. 1908
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $88 - Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Oct r 1835 and sent to Mr Bishop Lina Massachusetts
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1835 $220.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th March 44.00 $264.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. W. [Signature] Clerk Book E Vol. 2a Page 18
76 Berkshire

John Dobel Great Barrington Ms Application for Pension Oct 2 d 1832 13.985

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this eleventh day of October A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER , Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting, at S. Adams in  the said County . John Bobb a resident of the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. to wit
He was enlisted at Braintree in the County of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts in the month of May or June A.D. 1815 for the term of six months in a Company raised in S d Braintree & commanded by Capt. Milton or Vinton which Company was stationed at S d Braintree to guard the light House about nine miles from Boston where he performed his term of Service & found that the expiration thereof was discharged - he can not recollect whether he rec d a written Discharge if so he has lost it - One Mayhew was Discharged & Silas Holbrook was subsequently into Company - Immediately after his said Discharge, which he thinks was in October or November 1815 he was again enlisted in the same Company & commanded by the same Officer at said Braintree for the term of one year & marched immediately to Cambridge then Boston & there joined the Main Army & his said Company was annexed to Col. Brigrants Regiment Gen. Putnam had command of the forces - his duty in Cambridge until the British evacuated Boston in March 1816. In short time thereafter when Col. Brigrants Regiment marched into Boston remained there after was here & there were stationed on Brunswick Hill & there remained until the expiration of his term of Service when he was discharged - received a written Discharge of Col. Brigrants in Boston and had lost it.
In the latter part of the Spring or fore part of Summer of the year A.D. 1817 he enlisted at Boston

as a Marine under Commodore John O'Callaghan Commodore, the Frigate Hancock, on the the French line was. Sailed soon after in company with the Ship of War Boston under command of Meredith & M c Neil, for the Banks of Newfoundland & then cruised around, when an engagement took place with the British Frigate St. George commanded by George St. George  St. George  St. George  St. George then cruised off the Western Islands about two months & then sailed towards Boston, when we were intercepted by three British Ships - to wit the Rainbow commanded by Sir Geo. Colling- the Flora, & a Brig - Our Ship's Boston, commanded by S r M c Neil, avoided the engagement & escaped. The Hancock was first attacked by the Flora Brig which was driven off - then by the Flora which finally left us & went in pursuit of the prize (the Flora) & we were attacked by the Rainbow, a party from gun Ship, & then by her and the Flora also took the Flora - he was put in Irons & taken to Halifax & there imprisoned some six or eight weeks, when he was taken on board a British Merchantman by permission of the Governor, as a Sailor & sailed to Trinity, in the northern part of the Island of Newfoundland - where then took a boat & escaped to the shore in the night - The next day was sitting on the beach & a Gentleman who proved to be the Governor of that discouraged him  part of the Island, whom we are sure that he was Coke, & he was desirous to persuade him to enlist in one of the British Ships, he refused to do so. - Gov. Coke then ordered two men to take him to his house, where he was kept about a week, & then taken on board a Schooner & carried to St. Johns & there taken on board the Man of War Romney, commanded by Admiral Montague - there remained about three months & was then turned over as a supernumerary on board a twenty gun Ship called the "Lord Mansfield" book" commanded by the 1 st Lieut. of the Romney remained on board of Ship about five or six months, when his uncle who resided in the British Isle Territory procured a substitute for him & procured his discharge - After remaining with his uncle sometime, he sailed from St. Johns for the W. Indies - arrived there & then sailed in a Schooner for Boston, & was taken by two Privateers, within about a days sail of Boston & carried to New York & confined in a Prison Ship - was taken from the Prison Ship by

Capt John British Merchant mariner, remained on board of S d Merchantman about a fortnight when the Capt r bring in New York, all the men being sick in the ship except one who was sick, escaped in a Boat keeping in rear of a fleet of flat bottomed Boats which then sailed from New York for the purpose of taking Stony Point; until we had an opportunity to land at a place called "English Neighborhood" - from thence we proceeded to Dobbs Ferry, where we found the American Army, where he the said John obtained a Passport to go to Kings Ferry & there he obtained another to go to Guilford in the State of Connecticut. He was absent from the time of his enlistment about two years & a half.
He was born in Boston in the month of June 1758, on the 17 th day of S d month. He has no record of his age.
After the Battle of Bunker Hill, he removed from Boston, where he then lived to Said Braintree, where he lived at the time of his 1 st & 2 nd Enlistment as aforesaid - At the time of his enlistment as a Marine, as aforesaid, in 1777, he lived in Boston -
After the expiration of his enlistment hereafter returned to Boston, but resided a short time in Guilford, Connecticut then removed to Middlesex Co.  Westfield in S d Connecticut where he lived eight or ten years - then removed to Stockbridge, in the County of Berkshire, Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts, & there lived several years & then removed to Said Great Barrington where he has ever since lived -
He knows of no witnesses who can testify to his services.

He is acquainted with the Rev David N. Hill & George Brereton - the former of Stockbridge & the latter of Great Barington who can testify to his character as a man & the usefulness of his services as a Soldier of the revolution -

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
S.
John Dobel
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
We David D. Field a Clergyman, residing in the town of Stockbridge and George Beckwith residing in Great Barrington hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Dobel who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 55 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
S.
David D. Field George Beckwith
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that David D. Field who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that George Beckwith who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Dobel for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this Second day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Henry W. Bishop. Reg t of Probate.

13985- John Doble Map
Pirate 12 months Sham 12 months adnd 5. 16 of Bd Bnd.
May 25 1833
P. 405
13985
Mr Bangs's certificate en- gaged 27 Aug 1833
H. W. Bishop Esq Leroy Map
Mc arcl 26
Mc allach

BRIEF in the case of  John Dohel  Co of Berksire  in the State of  Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court,  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     June In 1775 entered 6 Private Capt Vinton or Winton   Nov. or Dec. " " 1 " " " Col Sergeants   Spring. 1777 entered Frng Hancock as a Revolution Revolution Comd. by Commo. John Manly   taken, and in service, and in prison during this said Brng? =   about 2 6  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? had an engagement British Frigate Fox  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Brain tree Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations. nor is the whole length of service precisely stated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Dayton
Examining Clerk.
40.00 48.00 88.00 174.00 220.00

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section ILL
May 23, 1930.
Mrs. Ruth Dobell Stowell 4501 Lilac Road South Euclid, Ohio.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 15100 , it appears John Dobel was born June 17, 1758, at Boston, Massachusetts.
After the Battle of Lexington, soldier moved from Boston, Massachusetts, to Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, where he enlisted May 17, 1775 and served eight months, two weeks and four days as a private in Captain John Vinton's Massachusetts Company; immediately after this service, he enlisted and served one year as a private in Captain John Vinton's Company, Colonel Sargeant's Massachusetts Regiment.
While a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, on May 1, 1777, he entered as a mariner on board the frigate "Hancock", Captain John Manley; was in an engagement with, and captured the British frigate "Fox" off New Foundland; was in an engagement with a brig which they drove off; in the engagement with the British frigate "Flora" which left in pursuit of and recaptured the "Fox"; was in the engagement with the British ship "Rainbow" and was captured; soldier was put in irons, taken to Halifax and after about two months imprisonment was put on board a British ship as a sailor; at Trinity on New Foundland, escaped in the night, recaptured next day and after a week was placed on board the man-of-war "Romney" and held prisoner about three months, then transferred to another prison ship and remained about six months, when his uncle who resided in British Territory (the name not shown) succeeded in obtaining his release. Soldier lived with his uncle until 1779. On December 25, 1779, said John Dobel sailed from St. Johns to the West Indies, thence to Boston, en route to which city he was captured, taken to New York and placed on a prison ship where he remained about two weeks, then made his escape and went to Guilford, Connecticut. About two and one half years had

elapsed since he entered the navy.
He lived in said Guilford for a while, then moved to Middletown, Connecticut, where he lived about ten years, thence to Stockbridge, Berkshire Co. Massachusetts, lived several years in that place, then moved to Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, while a resident of Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
It is not stated whether soldier was ever married and there are no family data other than the reference to his uncle.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

(Mr. Earl D. Church, Comm.)
Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C.
South Euclid, Ohio - March 15, 1930 -
Dear Sir -
I am writing to enquire whether there was an any list of Revolutionary Soldiers - pensions, etc - from Massachusetts rec by the name of JOHN DOBELL - (Dobel or Doble, Deubel, etc) born, June 17-1758 (some say 1765) ? birth place - Boston, Mass.?
I understand there were several by this name who enlisted, who came from Boston.
There was another John Dobel, born in Boston, Mass - in 1733 & could have served in that war too - any data relating to Dobel Soldiers would help me solve my problem.
Thanking You for your kindness I am Very Sincerely,
Ruth Dobell Stowell
4501 Lilac Road - South Euclid, Ohio.

1930 - May 23 - History to Mrs. Ruth Dohell Stowell LLD.
15100 INVALID.
File No. 15100
John Dohel Briv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 100
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Other memoranda of circumstances 1833. Barnstable ss.
On this second day of July, A.D. 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable William P. Walbridge, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Barnstable, now sitting at Barnstable in said County. John Dobel, a resident of the town of Great Barnstable in the County of Barnstable & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, now aged twenty five years, also being a citizen, being sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. — The present declaration made in addition to and in amendment of his former declaration, made on the second day of October 9, A.D. 1832.
That he enlisted as a Seaman on the first of May 1827 at Boston under Commission John Manley Commander of the Frigate Hancock for the term of one year, & joined the the list of Seamen of the same year, in company with others at Boston under command of Archibald M c Neil for the Bay of Fundy. He thinks in November thereon the Hancock was taken by the British ship Essex as stated in my former declaration, being six months or more after his said enlistment but by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he is unable to state the exact time which has then elapsed after his said enlistment. He was taken to Halifax in Nova Scotia. He was detained by the British in the summer, stated in his former declaration, until he was given by his Uncle Arthur stated. The precise length of time he cannot, for the reason aforesaid, state, but is confident that it was not less than three months. & he is unable to state for the reason aforesaid the length of time he remained with his uncle is confident that it was over one

year - perhaps fifteen months - He sailed for the W. Indies on Christmas day, 1749, & as near as he can state within three months thereafter upon his return on his return to Boston by two Brigs & arrived to New York - from which place he was captured as stated in his former Declaration & returned home - As near as he recollects it was not less than one month after he was captured upon his return.
He was absent from the time of his said enlistment out less than two and a half years. It might have been three years.
He is unable for the reason aforesaid to state more particularly the period of the war in which he served.
He was no part of his age as stated in his former Declaration, and he knows of none - there may be one in the town records of Boston.
He served at his first enlistment six months - at the second one year & at the third as a private Marine, as herein before stated.
S.
John Doble
Sworn to & subscribed to day & year aforesaid
William P. Walker S. Probate
I, Henry W. Bishop, Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original supplementary proceeding of said sub. in the matter of the application of John Doble for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office of said Court of Probate this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 19 th 1833.
* hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of "John Dobbe" is borne on a Roll of Captain John Vinton's Company of Volunteers from Braintree, in the State Service, where he is stated to have been enlisted May 17. 1775, and is allowed for "8 months 2 weeks and 4 days service". The names of the Lieutenants were Ebenezer Thayer & Silas Hollis. — There are no rolls of Captain Vinton's Company of a subsequent date. —
The Hancock was a Public Armed Vessel, commanded in 1777, by Capt. Manly — but no rolls of said Vessel have yet been discovered.
The rolls on file are very incomplete, particularly in relation to the Naval service, of which few remain.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

13985 John Dohel
Application should be made to E. D. Bangs Esq for evidence of the claim - ants received as a private
H. W. Bishop Esq Lenox Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Doble which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? ✓ V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes  His service as a Seaman VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.